Becky Jacobson has been in Pagosa Springs for 17 years and is a graduate of Pagosa Springs High School.

She is married to Keith Jacobson and they have three kids.

Her first knowledge of the 4-H program was when her younger sister and cousins participated in the 4-H livestock projects. After seeing how the program was beneficial to them and the community, she decided to make sure her children would be a part of this wonderful program.

Becky’s family began their 4-H life when her oldest daughter enrolled in the Cloverbud program five years ago. Her 4-H volunteer experience started shortly after and continues today. Her youngest daughter is currently enrolled in the Cloverbud program and her oldest is starting her second year of 4-H. She has volunteered in the 4-H office for the last year, helping me with anything she could after Kim and Bill left

Becky is super excited to be working with the kids and their parents. She believes that 4-H is an asset to our community — teaching kids about responsibility and perseverance in a fun, educational environment.

Back to Basics

The CSU Extension Office in Archuleta County is offering Back to Basics Food Preservation. We are offering it to all who are interested in attending beginner food preservation classes.

April 9 and 23 — Pickling/Freezing/Drying, 1 or 6 p.m.

May 7 and 21 — Tomatoes and Salsa, 1 or 6 p.m.

June 11 and 25 — Vegetables, Pressure Canning, 1 or 6 p.m.

Each class will also cover basics of spoilage, food borne illnesses high altitude adjustments and canning basics.

Please contact the Archuleta County CSU Extension Office at 264-5931 or coopext_archuleta@mail.colostate.edu to be added to the class list. Space is limited so it will be on a first come first serve basis.

According to the USDA, “Nearly half of the vitamins may be lost within a few days unless the products are cooled or preserved. Within 1 to 2 weeks, even refrigerated produce loses half or more of it’s vitamins. If handled properly and canned promptly after harvest, preserved food can be more nutritious than fresh produce sold in local stores.”

Seed potatoes

The Archuleta County Extension Office is now taking orders for seed potatoes.

There will be three kinds available, Sangre (red), Yukon Gold (white), Purple Majesty (blue). Currently we are charging fifty cents per pound for any of the species. Those of you who are just starting out and are experimenting, it is our suggestion that you order two to three pounds of each species instead of ordering a whole lot of them. This way you can experiment and see if you like them and then order more next year.

When orders arrive in mid-May at the Extension Office, each person will be contacted to pick up their order. Please don’t plant them until after Mother’s Day.

If you are interested in ordering seed potatoes, call 264-5931, e-mail at coopext_archuleta@mail.colostate.edu or stop by the Extension Office.

Calendar

April 6 — Pathfinders, 6 p.m.

April 9 — Back to Basic Food Preservation — Pickling, 1 p.m.

April 9 — Back to Basic Food Preservation — Pickling, 6 p.m.

April 10 — 4-H Clothing Project, 3:45 p.m.

April 10 — 4-H Shooting Sports, 4 p.m.

April 10 — 4-H Rocky Mountain Riders Club meeting, 6 p.m.

April 10 — Farm Bureau, 6:30 p.m.

April 10 — 4-H Colorado Kids Club meeting, 6:30 p.m.

April 11 — 4-H cookie dough delivery, 8 a.m.

April 11 — 4-H Sports Fishing, 4 p.m.

April 11 — 4-H Pagosa Peaks Club meeting, 6:30 p.m.

April 12 — Mountain View Homemakers, noon.

April 13 — 4-H Wolf Creek Wonders Club meeting, 2 p.m.

April 13 — 4-H Colorado Mountaineers 4-H Club meeting, 2 p.m.

Check out our webpage at www.archuleta.colostate.edu for calendar events and information.